Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 97817 — Bates, OR

ZIP code 97817 (Bates, Grant County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 97817 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostJun 5

First frostSep 14

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bates, OR…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Bates, OR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Aug 30

Growing season99 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Long Creek, OR — 24 miles away, elevation 3,740 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 97817

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29

LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 14) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 97817 came on Apr 16 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 12).

average
May 122026
Apr 16

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Oregon

613 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oregon, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bates, OR.

Soil in Bates, OR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 97817 is Marblepoint — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marblepoint-Moodybasin-Rock outcrop complex, 60 to 90 percent.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 97817; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bates, OR

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights245nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,229base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation23.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Austin 3 S, OR (12 mi away); precipitation: Tipton, OR (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

978776b

Sumpter, OR · 12 mi

978696b

Prairie City, OR · 23 mi

978566b

Long Creek, OR · 25 mi

Oregon planting zones →

Questions about 97817

What planting zone is ZIP code 97817?

ZIP code 97817 (Bates, OR) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Bates, OR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 97817 is June 5; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Creek station.

When is the first frost in Bates, OR?

The median first fall frost near 97817 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 99 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 97817?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 10 – Apr 24 and set transplants outside around Jun 12 – Jun 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 97817 get?

About 23.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tipton station).

How hot do summers get in Bates, OR?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 97817 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marblepoint at the center of ZIP 97817: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bates, OR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 97817 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bates, OR?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 97817 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 97817 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 97817 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.